Hehmeyer receives Newhope plaudits

Dec. 19, 2012

Terry Weaver wishes his Special Olympics coach the best at the retirement party for Richland Newhope employee Tom Hehmeyer who retired after 33 years as recreation therapist and he was regional coordinator for RC Special Olympics. Weaver said he was the best coach he ever had. / Dave Polcyn / News Journal

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Richland Newhope employee Tom Hehmeyer retires after 33 years as recreation therapist and he was regional coordinator for RC Special Olympics. Kevin Starr and Dennis Lindsay high five over the retirement display they helped create for Hehmeyer's party. / Dave Polcyn/News Journal

Richland Newhope employee Tom Hehmeyer retires after 33 years as recreation therapist and he was regional coordinator for RC Special Olympics. / Dave Polcyn/News Journal

There was abundance of hugs, thank-yous and good wishes for Richland Newhope employee Tom Hehmeyer, who retired after 33 years as a recreation . / Dave Polcyn/News Journal

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MANSFIELD — Tom Hehmeyer laughed when he was told he probably is the most popular employee at Richland Newhope.

Hehmeyer, a recreational therapist for 33 years, retired Tuesday during a farewell reception at Richland Newhope Industries on West Fourth Street.

“It comes with the job,” he said.

Over the years Hehmeyer has taken Richland Newhope clients to Cedar Point, Columbus Zoo, camping, movies, bowling, Special Olympics, social events and more.

“I hope I’ve brought a measure of enjoyment to people. We’ve gone to so many good places. They love everything,” Hehmeyer said. “You take them anywhere and they love it. You take them to McDonald’s and they love it.

“It’s been fun getting them out into the community and experiencing life with them and getting to do fun things along the way.”

He came to Richland Newhope straight out of graduate school at Southern Illinois University in September 1979. A Cleveland-area native, he completed his undergraduate degree at Hiram College.

“I knew I wanted to work in a facility where I could help people and do fun things and do sports,” he said. “It’s been a perfect job. It has been exactly what I wanted to do. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.

“We’ve been a lot of places. I couldn’t even begin to count up the number of places and number of people I’ve gone with.”

Hehmeyer plans to continue as the local and area coordinator at Richland County Special Olympics.

Newhope client Jimmy Hudson said Hehmeyer has been his coach at Special Olympics for several years.

“He’s sunny,” Hudson said. “I’m going to miss him.”

Parent Becky Bottorf said her son Tim, 37, has known Hehmeyer since he was 22.

“He has patience and he’s good with everyone and he accepts everyone and he’s just always taken the kids everywhere,” she said

Amanda South, director of Adult Services, said everyone is going to miss Hehmeyer.

“Every individual that we work with knows Tom and has had a lot of fun with him,” South said. “He’s given a lot to the organization and to the individuals and he’s given a lot.”